Washington Center For Human Rights
From DC to the World
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has been an active organization since 1995, working to promote and protect freedom of speech and the rights of journalists in Belarus. However, on November 16, 2021, the Belarusian authorities designated BAJ as an “extremist formation,” along with its staff members. This move is part of an ongoing crackdown […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights violations in Myanmar, which have continued since the military coup on February 1, 2021. Despite widespread international condemnation and efforts to hold the junta accountable for its actions, the situation on the ground remains dire, with reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile Statements TopicsThe ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran is one of the most significant geopolitical issues in the Middle East. The two countries have been engaged in a long-standing rivalry that has had far-reaching implications for the region and beyond. Recently, there have been reports of a potential Saudi-Iran deal, backed by China, which has […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe ongoing conflict in Syria has resulted in one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, with serious human rights violations being committed by all parties to the conflict. The Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the situation in Syria and urges the international community to take action to address […]
CategoriesBriefsVenezuela has been in a state of political and economic crisis for several years, with serious human rights violations taking place on a regular basis. The Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela and urges the international community to take action to address the human rights abuses taking place […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsLebanon has been grappling with serious human rights violations for several years now. The country’s political instability, economic crisis, and social unrest have created a volatile environment in which human rights are constantly under threat. The Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the situation in Lebanon and urges the international community to […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsNigeria is one of the largest and most populous countries in Africa, with a population of over 200 million people. Despite being a regional economic powerhouse, Nigeria faces significant challenges in promoting and protecting human rights. The Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the current state of human rights in Nigeria, including […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the exclusion of Afghan women from public life and the continued violation of their human rights. As the world marks International Women’s Day, it is critical to remember the plight of Afghan women who are facing increasing oppression and marginalization in their country. The Taliban’s […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the continued detention of human rights activist Saad Almadi in Saudi Arabia. Mr. Almadi has been arbitrarily detained since September 2018 and has endured numerous human rights violations, including torture and ill-treatment during his detention. The Washington Center for Human Rights is calling on the […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the ongoing detention of Kem Sokha, the former president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Mr. Sokha has been held in pre-trial detention since September 2017, on charges of treason. His detention is politically motivated and aimed at suppressing opposition to the ruling party. […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Nicaragua. We believe that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should renew the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua and the reporting mandate on Nicaragua of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights […]
CategoriesStatements Country ProfileWashington Center for Human Rights strongly condemn the recent executions in Saudi Arabia, and we call upon the United States government to take immediate action to halt this unjust practice. The execution of two individuals in Saudi Arabia on charges of terrorism and attacking a palace is the latest example of the country’s flagrant disregard […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the ongoing human rights violations in China. The Chinese government’s policies and actions towards its own citizens and the people of Hong Kong and Xinjiang are a clear violation of international human rights law. These abuses have been well-documented by international organizations, journalists, and human […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsOn the 15th anniversary of the arrest of Dhaifullah Zaid Al-Sareeh Al-Otaibi, the Washington Center for Human Rights calls on the Saudi Arabian authorities to reveal his fate and release him immediately. Dhaifullah was arrested in 2008 for expressing his opinions on improving the standard of living for his fellow citizens. As a result of […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsOn the fourth anniversary of the arrest of Dr. Saud Al-Fanisan, former Dean of the Faculty of Sharia at Al-Imam University in Saudi Arabia, the Washington Center for Human Rights reiterates its call for his immediate release. Dr. Al-Fanisan has been unfairly sentenced to seven years in prison on charges related to his peaceful expression […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsSheikh Turki bin Al-Hamidi Al-Dawish, a prominent member of the Otaiba tribe in Saudi Arabia, has been under arbitrary arrest since 14 May 2019. The arrest came shortly after he posted a tweet on his official Twitter account in which he expressed his protest against the detention of Sheikh Issa bin Salman Al-Ajmi, another member […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights (WCHR) is gravely concerned about the state of freedom of expression in Nigeria. As an organization that is committed to promoting and protecting human rights globally, we believe that freedom of expression is a fundamental right that should be protected and promoted in all countries, including Nigeria. Freedom of […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the ongoing violations of freedom of expression in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has consistently violated the right to freedom of expression by using laws and regulations to restrict the media, censor online content, and punish individuals who express their views. Journalists, human rights defenders, and […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country ProfileHuman Rights Abuses in Sudan: Addressing Ongoing Atrocities and the Road to Accountability Human rights violations continue to be a major concern in Sudan in 2023. Amnesty International’s latest report on Sudan highlights numerous abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings by security forces. The report also mentions the ongoing conflict in Darfur, which […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country ProfileIntroduction Morocco is a country located in North Africa, bordered by Algeria, Western Sahara, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. The country has a population of approximately 36 million people, and its official languages are Arabic and Berber. While Morocco has made some progress in terms of human rights, the country still faces significant […]
CategoriesStatementsDear UNFCCC Secretariat, We are writing to you today to urge you to cancel the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC UAE COP 28) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As we approach the critical decade for climate action, it is important that we make informed decisions about where we hold such events. There are […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIntroduction: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal monarchy located in the Arabian Peninsula. Despite the UAE’s rapid economic development and modernization, it has come under heavy criticism for its human rights record. In recent years, the UAE has been accused of violating human rights through various means such as labor exploitation, discrimination, political […]
CategoriesAdvocacyOn February 13th, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between Turkey and Syria, causing widespread devastation and loss of life. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, it’s important to show solidarity with the affected communities and offer support in any way possible. The earthquake has had a particularly devastating impact on the Syrian […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIn a letter to Morocco’s prime minister dated February 13, 2023, the MENA Rights Group and more than 20 other human rights organizations expressed their outrage over the extradition of Saudi national Hassan al-Rabea to his home country, where he runs the risk of suffering severe human rights violations, including torture. “To the Prime Minister […]
CategoriesAdvocacySaad Djabelkhir is an expert in the study of Sufi Islam and an islamologist. Due to his religious stances, he has been the target of pressure and threats since May 2019. He complained to the prosecutor of the Boufarik court on May 22, 2019, but to no avail. Djabelkhir developed teleological arguments on the customs […]
CategoriesAdvocacyOn January 27, 2023, the petition of various NGOs requesting for the suspension of arms supplies to participants in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen was denied by France’s highest administrative court. Regarding whether the government-issued licenses for exporting arms complied with France’s obligations under international law, the court stayed silent. Following the NGO Action […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsWashington Center For Human Rights strongly condemns the Emirati authorities’ refusal to release 40 prisoners of conscience and their intentional determination to keep them detained notwithstanding the completion of their sentences. Many of them are members of the UAE94, a group of detainees who were detained in 2012 and convicted to jail terms ranging from […]
CategoriesAdvocacyPeace activists denounced the Biden administration’s clearance of more than $5 billion in missile sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, a decision that came weeks after US President Joe Biden visited the leaders of both nations despite human rights advocates’ appeals. The US Department of Defense said that the US […]
CategoriesStatementsThe meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a slap in the face for Saudi human rights victims, and it signals a shameful and dangerous rehabilitation of the kingdom’s de facto ruler, a trend that world leaders must urgently challenge. According to the Elysee Palace, Mohammed bin Salman […]
CategoriesStatementsWCHR has learnt of a new three-month contract for Washington public relations firm Qorvis Communications to provide consultation and public relations services linked to Saudi Arabia’s official Human Rights Commission (HRC) and human trafficking concerns to a Saudi institution. This is another example of the Saudi government’s primary human rights priority: to obfuscate, rather than […]
CategoriesAdvocacyWhile President Joe Biden was in the Middle East this week, three senators submitted a bipartisan resolution to stop the US engagement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. “This conflict has resulted in the world’s biggest humanitarian disaster today, and it is past time to halt the United States’ role in these atrocities.” The resolution […]
CategoriesAdvocacyTrue to its word, the Biden administration is readjusting its ties with Saudi Arabia. Just not in the way we expected. According to press sources, Biden will visit the country in mid-July and will meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, better known as MBS. Nothing has been formally confirmed, and there is still […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsOn June 21, 2017, Mohammed bin Salman became Crown Prince and de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia on behalf of his father, King Salman. In contrast to his claims of liberal reform, his highly centralised and dictatorial reign has been distinguished by ruthless repression and significant human rights violations. Since King Salman took the throne […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which secured abortion rights in the United States, in a 6-3 vote today. Washington Center for Human Rights, an organization dedicated to the expansion and protection of human rights, sees the Supreme Court as not only limiting human rights that Americans have relied on for two […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsGreetings, Mr. President. Given recent media reports that you would be visiting Saudi Arabia and meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, we write to voice our great concern. Attempts to repair the United States’ relationship with the Saudi government without a genuine commitment to prioritize human rights are not only a betrayal of your […]
CategoriesStatementsOn World Refugee Day, the Washington Center for Human Rights honors both the great challenges that displaced people throughout the world continue to confront, as well as their incredible perseverance in their search of safety. Refugees play an important role in communities around the United States. Washington Center for Human Rights urges the US government […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsThousands of protestors came to the streets of Tunis on Saturday to oppose President Kais Saied’s request for a vote on a new constitution, which would consolidate his hold on power. The rally was headed by Abir Moussi, the leader of the Free Constitutional Party, and mirrored rising resistance to Saied since he took executive […]
CategoriesStatements AdvocacyUS Secretary of State Anthony Blinken blasted efforts to stifle press freedom in numerous Latin American countries on Tuesday, saying the US wants to strengthen media safety in the area with the highest number of journalist deaths. Speaking at a press freedom event before of the Summit of the Americas, a regional conference aimed at […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country ProfileOn Wednesday, Tunisia’s president fired 57 judges, accusing them of corruption and harboring terrorists in a purge of the court that comes as he strives to rebuild the political system after solidifying one-man rule. President Kais Saied stated in a televised address that he has “offered opportunity after opportunity and warning after warning to the […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsA mass shooter indoctrinated into bigotry and antisemitism on the internet committed another act of domestic terrorism yesterday at a Buffalo market. This brutal hate crime, which left 10 people dead and three injured, is just another illustration of how networks of racial fanatics influence one other, encouraging murder and domestic terrorism. Hate-based communities on […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsIsraeli and Palestinian authorities must undertake an early, thorough, and open inquiry into the assassination of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank today. According to an Al-Jazeera report, a video of the aftermath of the shooting posted on Twitter by Al-Jazeera, and multiple news outlets, Abu Akleh, a prominent Palestinian-American correspondent for […]
CategoriesAdvocacyWestern governments are implicated in supporting, and thereby strengthening, autocracies across the Arab World in a variety of legal and illegal ways. Over the last three decades, similar strategies have been pursued toward Russia, increasing President Vladimir Putin’s riches and power, culminating in his megalomaniacal invasion of Ukraine. Complicity policies toward authoritarian countries in the […]
CategoriesAdvocacyAfter weeks of speculation, the Chinese government named John Lee, a former top police officer, as Hong Kong’s future leader on April 8. Hong Kong was once the sole Chinese-controlled region holding semi-democratic elections. They are no longer in use in Beijing. Instead of a genuine election, Hong Kong residents are instead treated to a […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsAt a time when democracy is under attack all across the world, American politicians should be concerned about the assault on Tunisia’s democratic institutions. The Biden administration should do a lot more to send a message to President Saied that international recognition and help would be conditional on democratic conduct. The United States and its […]
CategoriesStatementsThree anti-corruption organizations encouraged the internal watchdogs of the US Treasury and State Departments to examine the US government’s improper move to essentially ease sanctions on billionaire businessman Dan Gertler right before the change of US administrations. Mr. Gertler was sanctioned by the Trump administration in 2017 under the Global Magnitsky Act for his alleged […]
CategoriesStatementsAsylum-Seekers are being locked up as a result of policies implemented by the Biden administration, and human rights are being violated. The first records show that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detained tens of thousands of asylum seekers in jails, where they face long detentions, severe physical and psychological suffering, medical negligence, discrimination, […]
CategoriesStatementsWhile Washington Center for Human Rights applauds rumors of a special parole program for Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression, the center urges the Biden administration to undertake similar humanitarian protection efforts for Afghans and others across the world facing human rights violations and persecution. The establishment of a Ukrainian special parole program to welcome Ukrainians escaping […]
CategoriesBriefsHuman rights standards, frameworks, and discourses are always changing. It is critical that they adapt in order to respond to new and emerging concerns and dangers, as well as to confront entrenched but sometimes invisible power, discrimination, and privilege. This progress may be seen in how human rights norms and processes are being utilized and […]
CategoriesAdvocacy Country Profile StatementsThe situation in Saudi Arabia has deteriorated since the previous UN Human Rights Council joint statement on human rights in September 2020. Although a number of prominent women human rights campaigners and political prisoners were conditionally freed, they remain subject to harsh restrictions, implying that they are not yet free. According to ALQST for Human […]
CategoriesAdvocacy StatementsIn March 2021, the Human Rights Council voted Resolution 46/2, which strengthened the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s monitoring mandate on the human rights situation in Nicaragua. On March 7, Bachelet delivered to the Council her Office’s (the OHCHR) written report, in which she concludes to a ‘pattern of egregious abuses of civil […]